Poppy time

One of my favourite flowers is the poppy, Papa er.

Different shapes, sizes, and colours.

Oriental poppies (large reds and pinks), californian poppies (small and orange) , Welsh (yellows),                               Himalayan (largish, pale blue)                                      wild British poppies (reds, pinks and white), some are called Shirley’s mixed or ladybird with black splodge.

Their petals are enclosed in bulbous green capsules until they open to display paper petals that unfurl into lovely flowers. A central large seed head like a pepper shaker is left to dry and mature after the petals fall.

Poppy juice is collected and has been used in medicine over the ages, but this can be dangerous. Don’t do anything but admire the flowers beauty.

Bonfire night 2025

Remember, remember, the fifth of November, Gunpowder Treason and plot.

For the last couple of weeks fireworks have been going off in the UK to celebrate bonfire night and possibly eid and Halloween too. But last night was the loudest and longest session.

I’d been out and was driving home. At the top of our hill I could see the flashes and bangs of massive fireworks across the city. The weather was clear and dry so I could see a lot of sparkling colours. I’m glad I went home, my poor cats were petrified. I’d forgotten to leave the radio on to drown out the noise. They soon settled down though x

I was driving so couldn’t take a photo but decided to try and draw an idea of a rocket going off in my Artrage app.

Glass

Glass bottles on a windowsill, crinkled glass window panes behind.

Seen last night at the Greyhound inn at Penkhull. Such a simple idea but effective. Now I’m seeing colours better, I’m noticing things like this. Everything seems to sparkle and shine. I’m so lucky to have had cataract surgery. I hope people who need it get it too.

This evenings sky

The sky was so clear tonight, the shades and colours were so subtle. Blue, then purple, pink, orange and yellow. The trees silhouetted against the light. It was glowing and I could really see the colours for a change. I realise how much my sight has improved with every new vista. I’m hoping it continues and nothing goes wrong. It was glorious.

I see a dragon

That old Pareidolia kicking in again.

The dragons head upper left, then a thin neck and body, looking a bit like a viking boat. Finally a great sail of a wing catching the glow from the setting sun.

This was last Monday and it lingered on my phone until I found it today.

I don’t see sunsets very often because I’m on the wrong side of the hill. This was at the top of our hill and there are still buildings and trees in the way and as the sun drifts northwest as it sets in the summer there is more vegetation in the way.

Paints

What paint to use on scenery? It would be cheaper to use emulsion paint, but the tins are too big for the Mystery Play job as we only have a few pieces of scenery to paint, so I got out my trusty acrylic tubes. The palettes are a bit of a mess, but I have to admit I like peeling the paint off to see what the back of the paint looks like (shiny and smooth, multicoloured).

More to do, tired…